Linda Vanessa Moreno Perez

Modularity as a Framework for Inclusive Digital Workspaces

This project investigates how modular design principles can transform digital workspaces into more inclusive, adaptable and emotionally supportive environments. Focusing on Microsoft Teams as a primary case study, the research examines how rigid collaboration tools often neglect diverse cognitive styles and personal workflows. Through literature review, speculative prototyping, interviews, usability testing and participatory design workshops, the study identifies key barriers in current systems, such as structural rigidity, constant context-switching and lack of adaptability that affect user agency and well-being. Insights from participants highlight the need for flexible layouts that align with individual rhythms rather than enforcing constant availability. The outcome is a high-fidelity prototype of an emotionally aware modular platform that offers customizable modules that respond to users’ changing energy levels and focus needs. By reframing modularity as a design ethic, the project proposes a framework for digital tools that balance productivity with care, allowing users to shape their own environments and reclaim autonomy in work settings.